Encore: Lin-Manuel Miranda brings "Hamilton" to Puerto Rico
When Lin-Manuel Miranda took the stage in his revolutionary creation, "Hamilton," back in 2015, he made theatre history. He soon left "Hamilton" behind for a flurry of other projects, which included writing songs for the animated film "Moana" that earned him an Oscar nomination.
And this past Friday he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
But for three weeks in January, Miranda will take a step back, and resume his role in "Hamilton" – not to change history, but to change lives.
Nearly 15 months ago, Hurricane Maria ravaged the island of Puerto Rico. By some estimates nearly 3,000 people died. The storm led to the largest power outage in U.S. history.
Not long after the storm, Miranda returned to the island where his parents were born, and where he spent summers as a young boy.
Correspondent David Begnaud was with him as he toured what remained of his grandparents' home in Vega Alta.
And it was during that visit that he announced that he would reprise the role that made him a star.
The 24 performances are part of a $15 million fundraising effort that Miranda is leading. Proceeds from the show will go to supporting the arts on the island.
Sitting down recently in the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway, where the now 38-year-old performed as Alexander Hamilton in 2015, Begnaud asked, "You're doing a musical about a guy who grew up in the Caribbean, [and left] because of a hurricane. And now you're gonna take 'Hamilton' to the Caribbean?"
"I know, it's too full circle!" Miranda laughed. "Because you know, Hamilton was supposed to go back; they said, 'Here's money for a scholarship, go become a doctor, and then come back.' And he never came back. He got a little busy with the revolution!
"It will be interesting, in the exodus that happened in the wake of Maria, how many people who will leave because they had to leave, and don't go back."
Begnaud asked, "Having grown up in New York, your parents being from the island, what is the best that bringing 'Hamilton' to the island can do for Puerto Rico?"
"Our goal is to basically raise money for arts on the island, so that the arts can recover, as other sectors of Puerto Rican life recover," Miranda replied. "And we'll have 10,000 $10 tickets on the island via lottery that we're just holding. Every Wednesday matinee is all $10."
The rehearsals began not long ago. Among the cast, playing King George III, is Rick Negron, who grew up just a few miles from the San Juan stage where he will now perform right alongside Miranda.
"Our first Puerto Rican king! What a better place to do it?" laughed Miranda.
Negron admitted he's been auditioning for "Hamilton" for about two years. Having grown up on the island, he described being in the show as "mind-blowing, without a doubt." "But I'll be fine. I'm an old gypsy, so I know my way around the nerves!"
Unlike the rest of the "Hamilton" cast, Miranda has very little time to get ready. "I only have a week-and-a-half. I also have this movie, 'Mary Poppins Returns,' coming out."
The boy from the Big Apple, who's won a Pulitzer, a Grammy and multiple Tony Awards, says he is more than ready for his encore in front of an audience where he is already a favorite son.
"It makes me very emotional to talk about," Miranda said. "I knew if 'Hamilton' was gonna get to go to Puerto Rico in any way, shape, or form, I'd want to experience that in the first person. I'd be too nervous sitting out in the house!"
For more info:
- "Hamilton" (Official site)
- Tickets to "Hamilton" in Puerto Rico
- Flamboyan Arts Fund
- Donate to Hispanic Federation/UNIDOS Disaster Relief & Recovery Program to Support Puerto Rico
Story produced by T. Sean Herbert.